2024 GLMC Grand Tour General Discussion

[Lee_0123]

Thanks Orbit, what state is that in?
JohnF - sorry, I can't help you with your picture posting issue. Is Orbit's "Clifty" sign the kind of DOT sign you were concerned about?

[theemightyorbit]

Lee, that sign is in Kentucky.

I swiped it off the internet as it's a good example of the DOT sign type in question.

These DOT signs are found on the border of the town, more likely than not on the main road or roads through town.

[JohnF]

(12-31-2023 06:01 AM)Lee_0123 Wrote:  Thanks Orbit, what state is that in?
JohnF - sorry, I can't help you with your picture posting issue. Is Orbit's "Clifty" sign the kind of DOT sign you were concerned about?

Yes...this is exactly the type sign, and Orbit's explanation of sometimes elevation is on them (CO and WY), sometimes the population (IL), is right on the money. I would bet if you showed the CLIFTY photo to most people and ask them what it was a picture of, their answer would be, "A city limit sign."

I have photos of past GLMC Grand Tours (Villans (towns that ended in "ville) and Titanic (towns that ended in "burg" or "ton")) with many of the photos with my bike, the GLMC tour rider's flag, and a Green and White (or in PA white and blue) Town Limit Sign like Orbit posted. Sometimes the sign at one end of town does not have safe parking, so you ride to the other ends of the town on the major roads and hope to find another one with a safe place to position the bike for the photo.

[JohnF]

Does the compass point direction have to be spelled out (NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST), or can abbreviations be used (N, S, E, W, No, So, etc) on the sign?

[Lee_0123]

Thanks JohnF,
The direction needs to be spelled out but can be joined, as in Easton and Westtown.

Lee B.

[LSGiant]

Please be careful out there. We lost a rider a few years back who pulled over at a I believe a DOT sign. So once again PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE PARKING IS IN A SAFE SPOT

[StarWolve]

Living in Charlotte, NC, I'm liking the "state" bonus points. The SC border is about 15 minutes away, so we do most of our GT riding in those two states. I signed up, and my father also signed up this morning.

The murals had a much higher density, which made for some nice "pop out for an hour or two and grab a few more points" type of rides. This year will be some longer rides, so I anticipate a much lower score. But still, any excuse for a ride...

[Lapchik]

(01-02-2024 10:44 AM)StarWolve Wrote:  Living in Charlotte, NC, I'm liking the "state" bonus points. The SC border is about 15 minutes away, so we do most of our GT riding in those two states. I signed up, and my father also signed up this morning.

The murals had a much higher density, which made for some nice "pop out for an hour or two and grab a few more points" type of rides. This year will be some longer rides, so I anticipate a much lower score. But still, any excuse for a ride...

Same with me, ND and SD. Can get the state welcome signs pretty easily. Unfortunately not a ton of cities in those states, let alone NESW ones. Bonus points and South Shore help make up for scarcity.

I like alternating easy vs planning required GTs. Planes/Trains/Automobiles needed some planning. Murals was for sure a "go wander around" type of tour. This one I get to nerd out on spreadsheets and basecamp.

[StarWolve]

(01-02-2024 12:12 PM)Lapchik Wrote:  This one I get to nerd out on spreadsheets and basecamp.

I totally nerded out on spreadsheets with the Murals - but it took a lot more web searches to find them, rather than one database of info. But there was a lot of "wandering around and finding them", even when I had a planned route I kept finding new murals that weren't on any web list. It was nice when we could find a website devoted to "all the cool murals in city XYZ", or in the case of South Carolina, there was a site dedicated to one series of Murals (Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox") done throughout several cities within the state.

[Lee_0123]

Hello Kevin Morris,
The email I sent with your rally flag keeps bouncing back. Please send me an email to Retread.Lee@gmail.com and I'll reply to that with the rally flag attached.

[Lee_0123]

Hey Hey Hey
We are up to 20 registered riders!!
19 Veterans and 1 newbie!!

All 20 rally flags have been sent out. If you didn't get one check your spam/junk mail folder before emailing me.

[theemightyorbit]

(01-09-2024 05:41 PM)Lee_0123 Wrote:  Hey Hey Hey
We are up to 20 registered riders!!
19 Veterans and 1 newbie!!

Long time listener, first time caller....

[theemightyorbit]

Speaking of flags...

What kind of paper stock are you printing your flags on?

I have some varying weight photo paper here, in the 70# area, and was gonna print my flag on that, then get that laminated.

I'm thinking regular printer paper may be too light, wanna go a little thicker than that.

What're the rest of you doing in this regard?

Thanks.

[Lapchik]

Regular light printer paper. Laminate to make waterproof. Still flexible, so it doesn't feel strange while it's in my Aerostich arm map pocket.

I usually print one out 3x5 for that arm pocket so I can just stay on the bike and take a pic, minimizing potentially hazardous time parked on the side of the road.

I also print a couple 1.5" x 2.75" or whatever, wallet size. I put one in the tank bag and one in my wallet in case I lose my main one or I get a borrowed bike somewhere and don't have my normal gear with me.

I think Jeff or someone had used stickers at one point also.

[DownUnder]

I just send my rally flag to a photo print shop and have some 6" x 4" photos made.

The photo card stock is heavier than normal printer paper, and it only costs a few cents per photo.

The 6"x4" size is is an easy to put in a jacket pocket, and easy to hold when taking a bonus photo.

Usually, I just use some stick-on clear plastic to cover the photo, but the photo shop can also laminate the photo.

[Missouri Bob]

New guy here just checking in and looking over the Directional Grand Tour. Think I'll sign up.
Bob

[Lee_0123]

Hey, hey, hey! We are now up to 31 riders; 26 returning riders and 5 new riders. Let's be safe out there and have fun. All PDFs of rally flags have been sent out.

[Lapchik]

First one of the year with the kiddo.

[theemightyorbit]

Yeah, I got out for a little putt Tuesday.

Made five stops, this one was the best.

Saw the welcome sign out of the corner of my eye while getting up to speed after shooting East Troy's bland municipal building sign a few miles back.

A quick u-turn was in order...

[Lapchik]

Picture posting info: https://www.glmc.org/GLMC_Garage/showthr...p?tid=1114